William A. Leonard's Diary, 1866

This diary was graciously given to me by a friend, Jon Ojala. Jon purchased the diary on eBAY. He asked me to "find a good home for it." My intention is to leave it in the hands of the Hinesburg Historical Society. In the meantime, I intend to transcribe it and display it here.

William Amos Leonard was a Hinesburg resident who lived on the Baldwin Road, just North of the Burritt Cemetery. He was born September 5th, 1828 in Hinesburg, the son of Marvin Leonard and Laura Coon. He married Phebe Ann Smith of Monkton, the daughter of Matthew and Lucy Smith. Phebe died August 27th, 1900 of old age. 1866 was a tough year for William Leonard. He lost a daughter, his father, and a neighbor. William, himself, died January 28th, 1917 of "Arterio Sclerosis." He and Phebe are buried in the Village Cemetery in Hinesburg.

I have traced as many names as I could find and interpreted the entries as best I could. I will update this diary as time allows and information becomes available. I have endeavored to be faithful to William's line breaks, spelling and punctuation. I have included a link to an image of the actual diary pages in mid-January. To return to your place after clicking any link in the diary, use your browser's "back" button. Transcribed by John Roberts

MEMORANDA FOR JANUARY, 1866	MEMORANDA FOR JANUARY, 1866
1 Mon. Pleasant ground bare good wheeling: went to Richmond to a dance	6 Sat. verry cold fired up all day
2 Tues. cool, drew Hay	7 Sun. awful cold
3 Wed. warm + pleasant worked in the Hemlo cks Surprise party	8 Mon. verry cold
4 Thurs. warm + Snowed worked in the Hemlo cks cold a night-	9 Tues. a little warmer. went after Girl failed
5 Fri. verry cold kept-- fires all day	10 Wed. cold but pleasent worked in the Hemlocks

MEMORANDA FOR JANUARY, 1866	MEMORANDA FOR JANUARY, 1866
11 Thurs. cool + cloudy sold Cow Hide to Baldwin for 6.00-6 other 8.60 N Strong Dr Cash 1.95	16 Tues. warmer a little snow N Strong Dr Beef 11 lbs 1.00
12 Fri. cool north wind went to the Pond caught 13 D Burrit here in evening	17 Wed. cold south wind went to the village with Provender. Down to D Burritts in evening
13 Sat. cold chilly South wind some rain	18 Thurs. went to village Horse Shod Pd 2.00 int- the Band for C C Post
14 Sun. verry cold Ed Naramore here	19 Fri. chilly + cloudy went to Burlington Hired Teacher for Band
15 Mon. verry cold	20 Sat. warm + rained went to Charlotte with Butter + Cheese N Adams 1st lesson to the Band

MEMORANDA FOR JANUARY, 1866	MEMORANDA FOR JANUARY, 1866
21 Sun. cold wind north	26 Fri. Snow 6 inches deep the first sleighing this winter
22 Mon. cold wind South went to the village in evening	27 Sat. warm + pleasent drew Hay from west meadow
23 Tues. cold + pleasent worked in the Hem locks	28 Sun. warm + pleasent
24 Wed. cold wind north went fishing to H Pond caught -1 fish Heifers leg broke	29 Mon. warm wind south went to Shelburn after Girl failed
25 Thurs. warmer snowed a little	30 Tues. went to Borough after Doctor for Nelson N Strong Dr Store 1.17
[Click here to see an image of this page]	31 Wed. warm drew Hay D Burritt + family here in evening

MEMORANDA FOR FEBRUARY, 1866	MEMORANDA FOR FEBRUARY, 1866
1 Thurs. cold went to the village Sade Fay + wife here Sow took the Boar	6 Tues. Father died in the morning went to Burlington in the afternoon
2 Fri. cold + pleasent went to the borough with Fay	7 Wed. cold south wind N Strong Dr to Cash $2.00
3 Sat. cold snowed a lot	8 Thurs. cold Ed Meech here
4 Sun. [no entry]	9 Fri. warm + pleasent Fathers funeral Jude + Perry here at home
5 Mon. cold went to Shelburn to E Meeches	10 Sat. cold South wind blew terribly came home from Burlington drove new mare home

MEMORANDA FOR FEBRUARY, 1866	MEMORANDA FOR FEBRUARY, 1866
11 Sun. verry warm + pleasent went to the Ridge carried Louisa	16 Fri. cold went to the village Mares Shod Donation in the eve ning of enough Dr $10.00
12 Mon. Blew + snowed verry hard all day Byington here to buy fur	17 Sat. verry cold wind South D Bollo here all night-- 2 calves
13 Tues. cold snow deep went to Byingtons and back twice	18 Sun. warmer wind South [illustration by W. Leonard]
14 Wed. warm snowed some Perry + wife + friend here Sold Oxen $1.75 Recd 30 Due 1.45	19 Mon. warm rained all day went to the vill age
15 Thurs. cold + clear Sherman came after Oxen Pd Balance Due - $1.45	20 Tues. colder went to the village settled with Joe N Strong Dr Cash $5.00

MEMORANDA FOR FEBRUARY, 1866	MEMORANDA FOR FEBRUARY, 1866
21 Wed. Cold South wind went to Ed Meechs visiting	25 Sun. Cloudy colder froze a little
22 Thurs. warm South wind blew hard went to Shelburn to Byingtons	26 Mon. verry cold in the morning went up to the Pond after Ben went after Helen Denio in the afternoon
23 Fri. warm + thawing fast N Strong Dr $10.00	27 Tues. warmer Strong South wind Got Off Mares Shod
24 Sat. Rained + thawed Bridge went off	28 Wed. verry pleasent went to Burlington to Horse trot

MEMORANDA FOR MARCH, 1866	MEMORANDA FOR MARCH, 1866
1 Thurs. winds south + rain Came home from Burlington	7 Wed. cold wind north Bought 3 sheep of N Strong for $5 Pd $5.00
2 Fri. warm wind South	8 Thurs. N Strong commenced work Traded cow for sheep with H Mead
3 Sat. warm	9 Fri. cold north wind Concert to the village in the evening
4 Sun. colder wind north	10 Sat. cold north wind Provender ground
5 Mon. verry cold north wind went to the village a foot Flour N Strong Dr Cash $10.00	11 Sun. cold South wind N Strong Dr to use of Horse Waggon $1.00
6 Tues. cold north wind went to Horace Meads to trade for sheep

MEMORANDA FOR MARCH, 1866	MEMORANDA FOR MARCH, 1866
12 Mon. Lewis Steady com menced work for 8 at $18	17 Sat. cold north wind came home from Burlington
13 Tues. for Nelson Backed note for 3 months	18 Sun. verry cold wind north
14 Wed. warm Tapped Sugar orchard	19 Mon. cold wind north went to the Ridge after Louisa went after Dr for Pincher
15 Thurs. warm South rain boiled sap all day	20 Tues. cold wind South went to the village Shoe set on Fanny
16 Fri. colder foggy + rainy went to Burlington carried Mrs Little	21 Wed. cold wind South Snow 3 inches deep Rained a little G Little came here

MEMORANDA FOR MARCH, 1866	MEMORANDA FOR MARCH, 1866
22 Thurs. cold wind north went to Charlotte Depot with 2 Tubs Butter	27 Tues. cold wind north N Strong Dr to two lbs Butter $1.00
23 Fri. cold wind south Lewis Steady Dr To Cash $3.00	28 Wed. N Strong commenced work by the year $3.00 went to Burlington changed Horses
24 Sat. cold wind north Gaby shod	29 Thurs. cool north went to wedding
25 Sun. cold wind south Snowed: Strong Cost $1.00 N Strong use of Horse + Waggon $1.00	30 Fri. Wind north Syrup for 80lbs Sugar
26 Mon. cold wind north Snowed all day	31 Sat. Lewis one day lost time

MEMORANDA FOR APRIL, 1866	MEMORANDA FOR APRIL, 1866
1 Sun. warm rained South gathered Sap	6 Fri. colder wind north Lewis 1/2 day lost time
2 Mon. cold + clear wind north went after Girl failed Pd C C Post for vat $50.00	7 Sat. Lewis Steady 1 day lost time
3 Tues. warm + Pleasent went to the village with Maple Sugar Swaped for Brown	8 Sun. warm + pleasent
4 Wed. quite warm wind South, Lewis Steady Dr to Cash .50	9 Mon. warm + pleasent Lewis 1/2 day lost time Bought yoke of Slays of Guy Willoughby for 130
5 Thurs. warm wind South blew hard N Strong Dr to team .50 1/2 day lost time	10 Tues. warm + pleasent Lewis Steady 1 day lost time

MEMORANDA FOR APRIL, 1866	MEMORANDA FOR APRIL, 1866
11 Wed. cold wind south blew hard Lewis Steady one day lost time	16 Mon. warm + pleasent wind South blew hard
12 Thurs. warm + pleasent Gathered sap tubs Commenced Ploughing	17 Tues. warm wind south blew hard Went to Frank Benedicts fune ral Lewis Dr Cash $10.00
13 Fri. warm win blew hard north Nelson Dr Cash $1.00 Lewis Steady Dr tobacco $1.50	18 Wed. warm wind South blew hard Pincher died in the morning
14 Sat. warm wind South N Strong Dr 2bs of Oats 1.00 " " " 2 B Wheat 1.50	19 Thurs. warm wind South rained in the afternoon
15 Sun. warm + pleasent wind South	20 Fri. warm rained Lewis Steady 1 day lost time

MEMORANDA FOR APRIL, 1866	MEMORANDA FOR APRIL, 1866
21 Sat. Sold 4 Tubs butter 136 1/2 .50 - 88.25 Red'd $50. Balance due $38.25	26 Thurs. cold + snowed a little + froze some Pd Joe la Rose $40. for D Ray
22 Sun. a beautiful day sunshin + warm	27 Fri. cold wind north Gerough Dr Cash $10.00 went to the Borough after Doct for Little Sold Waggon C Falley for $85.00 Rec'd $20.00
23 Mon. cloudy rained hard in the afternoon went to the Depot after George Littles wife	28 Sat. cold wind South
24 Tues. Cool rained hard all day	29 Sun. cold wind north blew verry hard went to the Ridge with Louisa
25 Wed. cold wind north Snowed some	30 Mon. cold cold wind north Snowed a little

MEMORANDA FOR MAY, 1866	MEMORANDA FOR MAY, 1866
1 Tues. warmer wind north Sold Hay to Lewis Ozier for $9.00 Charged $9.00 School Commenced	6 Sun. cold north wind
2 Wed. cold north wind N Strong Dr Cash $3.00 District No 1 Dr 1 Pail 1/2 lb chalk - 35 (Apple trees set)	7 Mon. cold north wind
3 Thurs. cold north wind George Pd Tax at Charl otte $2.08 Rec'd of G Partch $37.00 Due .85 on Butter	8 Tues. cold north wind
4 Fri. cold north wind Pd $5. for 12 Butter Tubs Dan Ray Dr Cas $50.00	9 Wed. warmer north wind rained some
5 Sat. cold north wind went to the village carried G Little Lewis Steady Dr 10 Bush Potatoes - $4.00	10 Thurs. cold north wind went to Burlington

MEMORANDA FOR MAY, 1866	MEMORANDA FOR MAY, 1866
11 Fri. warm + pleasent wind north Sold 208 lbs Butter for .44 lb - - $91.58	16 Wed. warmer rained
12 Sat. warm + pleasent Pd Mrs McEwen $84.00 interest	17 Thurs. cold north wind Nelson Strong 1 day lost time
13 Sun. warm + rained Nelson Dr to use of team $2.00	18 Fri. Nelson 1 day lost time
14 Mon. cold verry; Snowed	19 Sat. N Strong 1 day lost time John Cr by 1 days work Dr 1 Bush of Oats
15 Tues. cold wind north	20 Sun. quite warm went to the Borough

MEMORANDA FOR MAY, 1866	MEMORANDA FOR MAY, 1866
21 Mon. rained cold in the afternoon Nelson 1 day lost time	26 Sat. warmer wind north went to the Depot with cheese
22 Tue. cold + rainy Band concert in the evening Got $5	27 Sun. cloudy Took J Brusaires Horse to pasture
23 Wed. verry cold Snowed a little John Brusaire Dr to town 1/2 day	28 Mon. rained all day John Brusaire Dr To 1 Bush of Oats .60
24 Thurs. cold wind north	29 Tues. cloudy + warm Borrowed Press of Mr Bald win John Brusaire Dr use of team 1/2 day
25 Fri. cold wind north went after cheese Boxes Lewis Dr Cash $1.00	30 Wed. warm + pleasent went to Huntington
	31 Thurs. verry cold went to Burlington $100.00 the Bank for 60 days

MEMORANDA FOR JUNE, 1866	MEMORANDA FOR JUNE, 1866
1 Fri. warmer a little went to the village with Butter	6 Wed. warm rained all day
2 Sat. warm + dry went to Vergennes Hired Sherman in the Band to Nov 1 for $60	7 Thurs. rained John Brusaine Dr Oats .60
3 Sun. Received $15 of C Fully Balance Due in money on wa ggon	8 Fri. went to Vergennes + Panton after Dog
4 Mon. warm + cloudy went to Huntington John B Dr to team 1/2 day	9 Sat. N Strong 1 day lost time Dr to use of team 1/2 day Nelson Dr Cash $15.26
5 Tues. warm wind south blew hard	10 Sun. [no entry]

MEMORANDA FOR JUNE, 1866	MEMORANDA FOR JUNE, 1866
11 Mon. cold wind north	16 Sat. went to Charlotte with 1063 lbs of cheese 2 men +1 team on the Road
12 Tues. cold wind north Concert in Huntington Rec'd $21.00 2 men 2 teams on the road	17 Sun. rained
13 Wed. rained Came home from Huntington 1/2 day on the road 2-men 1 team	18 Mon. rained went to Frank Collins after Dog
14 Thurs. cloudy + cold wind South	19 Tues. Strong South wind Semantha here
15 Fri. Bought 16 Cheese Boxes - Pd 3.94 Lewis 1 day lost time $1.50 John 1 Bush of Oats .60	20 Wed. Commenced hoeing Corn

MEMORANDA FOR JUNE, 1866	MEMORANDA FOR JUNE, 1866
21 Thurs. warm + pleasent	26 Tues. warm verry went to Burlington
22 Fri. verry warm Sheared sheep for George	27 Wed. rained N Strong Dr cash $1.00
23 Sat. warm Sheared Sheep for Wm	28 Thurs. cool wind north
24 Sun. verry warm Lewis Dr cash $2.00	29 Fri. cool wind north
25 Mon. warm Thermometer 84	30 Sat. cold wind north went to Hinesburgh Pond fishing Lewis 1/2 day lost time .75

MEMORANDA FOR JULY, 1866	MEMORANDA FOR JULY, 1866
1 Sun. [no entry]	6 Fri. verry warm Lewis Steady Dr Cash .25
2 Mon. warm	7 Sat. warm rained
3 Tues. warm	8 Sun. warm rained John Brusaine Dr 6 lbs Pork 20th $1.20
4 Wed. Celebration at the village N Strong Dr Cash $2.00 L Steady " Cash $5.00	9 Mon. cooler went to Richmond with cheese Nelson Dr Tobacco .25 Bought 1 Waggon of Pat
5 Thurs. warm + cloudy John Murphy found his little Girl	10 Tues. warm wind north Traded Horses with Pat John Brusaine Cr by 1 days work $1.50 P Ann went her journey

MEMORANDA FOR JULY, 1866	MEMORANDA FOR JULY, 1866
11 Wed. warm wind South John Brusaine Cr by 1 day work - $1.50 went to Burlington got nothing as usual	16 Mon. Hot as Hell
12 Thurs. John Brusaine Cr 1 day $1.50 Commenced Haying	17 Tues. verry warm Thermometer 108 in Shade John B Dr Butter 2 1/2 $1.00
13 Fri. John Brusaine Dr To 1 Scythe + Snath + Stone - $2.65	18 Wed. rained cooler went to Richmond after Milk Cans Lewis 1 day lost time
14 Sat. verry warm N Strong Dr To Books - .85	19 Thurs. cooler milk 721 lbs Pd $40 for Cans
15 Sun. warm warmer warmest	20 Fri. cool + wind south N Strong Dr Cash $1.00

MEMORANDA FOR JULY, 1866	MEMORANDA FOR JULY, 1866
21 Sat. warm wind South 25 Boxes of cheese 1020 nett J Brusaine - 5.00 156 Lewis - $1.00 864	26 Thurs. Phebe Ann came home from Fort Ann Traded with H Wilson for Horse
22 Sun. [no entry]	27 Fri. went to the village got Horse Shod J Brusaine Dr Butter 3 1/2 lbs $1.29
23 Mon. rained N Strong Dr to School Books .98	28 Sat. Showery Sent - $100 to the National Bank John Brusaine Dr Tobacco 30
24 Tues. Settled with Lewis Steady	29 Sun. $100 Deed First National Bank Burlington Paid
25 Wed. Took Waggon up to Rockwoods to be repaired	30 Mon. rained
	31 Tues. a fair day

MEMORANDA FOR AUGUST, 1866	MEMORANDA FOR AUGUST, 1866
1 Wed. cloudy strong south wind went to Vergennes Bank	6 Mon. rained all day Nelson Strong Dr To Cash $4.25 mare Shod
2 Thurs. South wind cloudy John Brusaine Dr to Corn Meal 1/2 bush .75	7 Tues. cloudy + cold Nelson Strong Dr To Coat - $6.00
3 Fri. midling lay day John Brusaine Dr To Cash - $10.00 Pd Rockwood $14.00	8 Wed. fair + cool John Brusaine Dr To Grass - $1.50
4 Sat. rained all day Traded Horses with George Barber Note due Dec - 1st	9 Thurs. rain rain rain N Strong Dr To Cash - $11.50
5 Sun. [no entry]	10 Fri. rained in the forenoon Drove Sow home from the village

MEMORANDA FOR AUGUST, 1866	MEMORANDA FOR AUGUST, 1866
11 Sat. cool + fine Pd J Hotland - $5.95 Sow had 8 pigs	16 Thurs. cold wet to Burlington Checks for $18.00
12 Sun. W. A. Leonard W Hinesburgh Vt [doodling]	17 Fri. cold a light frost John Brusaine Dr To 2 1/2 Butter 3 sets .95 School finished
23[sic] Mon. [no entry]	18 Sat. cloudy John Brusaine Dr To Cash - $5.00
14 Tues. John Brusaine Dr To Cash - $0.63	19 Sun. 4 little Dogs from wagtail
15 Wed. rained	20 Mon. cold + cloudy

MEMORANDA FOR AUGUST, 1866	MEMORANDA FOR AUGUST, 1866
21 Tues. N Strong Dr Varish 44 Kerosene 28 $0.67	26 Sun. [no entry]
22 Wed. rained	27 Mon. went to Burlington with George Little
23 Thurs. [no entry]	28 Tues. John Brusaine Dr To Corn - 93 " Tobacco 50
24 Fri. Nelson Strong Dr To Cash - $20 Lewis Green commenced work for 15 dollars per month	29 Wed. cloudy
25 Sat. Pat Laughlin Dr To Cash - $1.00	30 Thurs. Cloudy Sent to Burlington after Bedstead
	31 Fri. warm + pleasent

MEMORANDA FOR SEPTEMBER, 1866	MEMORANDA FOR SEPTEMBER, 1866
1 Sat. verry warm Commenced Haying in the west meadow N Strong Dr Cash $1.00	6 Thurs. verry warm attended the fair at Brattleboro Came to Rutland at night
2 Sun. cloudy + cold	7 Fri. warm Staid in Rutland all day
3 Mon. warm verry drew 13 loads of Hay in the west meadow	8 Sat. cool +rainy came home from Rutland
4 Tues. warm John Brusaine Dr To Cash 1.15	9 Sun. [no entry]
5 Wed. went to Brattleboro	10 Mon. N Strong Dr Reframing Waggon 3.75

MEMORANDA FOR SEPTEMBER, 1866	MEMORANDA FOR SEPTEMBER, 1866
11 Tues. John Brusaine Cash 10.00	16 Sun. N Strong Dr to cash .75
12 Wed. Due John Brusaine - - - $26.00 Nelson 1/2 day lost time	17 Mon. John Brusaine Dr To 5 lbs Butter 1.90 Nelson 1/2 day los time
13 Thurs. Pd Luman Smith - - $40 Nelson 1 day lost time	18 Tues. rained all day
14 Fri. Nelson 1 day lost time Nelson Dr To 1 days work for Lewis	19 Wed. rained all day N Strong 1 day lost time
15 Sat. rained heavy frost at night went to Burlington to Theatre	20 Thurs. rained Killed a fox

MEMORANDA FOR SEPTEMBER, 1866	MEMORANDA FOR SEPTEMBER, 1866
21 Mon. rained	26 Sat. rained came home from Packards
22 Tues. N Strong 1 day lost time cold frost at night N Strong Dr Butter 5 lbs .35 cts _ _ 1.90 " Cash 39	27 Sun. went to to Vergennes To $200, to the Bank N Strong Dr to 3 lbs of Pork .60
23 Wed. cold + pleasent Skinned 2 foxes	28 Mon. [no entry]
24 Thurs. went over the Lake Sold Palmer place to Harkness for $3300.00	29 Tues. N Strong Dr to Cash - - $10. 1 Pig -- 3.
25 Fri. warm Strong South wind	30 Wed. John Brusaine Dr To 1 Hog - $25. " " Coat " 9.

MEMORANDA FOR OCTOBER, 1866	MEMORANDA FOR OCTOBER, 1866
1 Mon. due Pd Guy Wiloughby went to the Borough got waggon repaired	6 Sat. Drew Hogs to charloott weight 791 lbs - 10cts $79.10 went to Burlington to Horse trot
2 Tues. cold went to the village bought Shot of viel 10 1/2 lbs $1.70	7 Sun. warm + pleasent N Bouell here + carried home 2 Pigs
3 Wed. cold Played at the Ridge for Sunday School celebration	8 Mon. warm + Smokey N Strong Dr Cash - $94.00 G Brusaine " " - " 5.00 J Brusaine Cr 1/2 days work at .50
4 Thurs. cold a cold	9 Tues. J Brusaine Cr 1 days work - - - $1.00 went to Vergennes in the afternoon
5 Fri. [no entry]	10 Wed. warm wind South Husked Corn

MEMORANDA FOR OCTOBER, 1866	MEMORANDA FOR OCTOBER, 1866
11 Thurs. went to the Borough after waggon	16 Tues. warm Husked corn
12 Fri. Hunted + husked corn	17 Wed. warm + cloudy N Strong Dr $10.00
13 Sat. went to Vergennes with 5 tubs Butter $117.00 Bought 9 Hens + a Rooster for - - $7.00	18 Thurs. Settled with N Strong 11.82 - due W. Leonard
14 Sun. [no entry]	19 Fri. warm + pleasent
15 Mon. cold nort wind went with George after Hens	20 Sat. warm + pleasent

MEMORANDA FOR OCTOBER, 1866	MEMORANDA FOR OCTOBER, 1866
21 Sun. warm + pleasent	26 Fri. went to Shelburn to Andrews + Meeches
22 Mon. South wind blew hard Shut Hogs in the pen	27 Sat. Sold 5 Pigs
23 Tues. warm Phebe Ann went to Burling ton Self went to the Borough Waggon mended	28 Sun. Mnight Post buried
24 Wed. cool + pleasent Husked corn Phebe Ann went to Huntington	29 Mon. went to Ft Ann Rained all day
25 Thurs. cold as winter Husked corn John Brusaine Dr To Cash $3.00	30 Tues. went to Albany and Rhinebeck
	31 Wed. Staid in Rhinebeck all day looking for Bulls

MEMORANDA FOR NOVEMBER, 1866	MEMORANDA FOR NOVEMBER, 1866
1 Thurs. Staid at Rhinebeck all day d___d lonesome	6 Tues. Husked corn
2 Fri. Bought Calf of Wm. Kelly Started for home	7 Wed. Husked corn Frank Ozier comm enced for 5 ms at -$14.50
3 Sat. At Shelburn 3 o'cl in the morning came home at night with Calf	8 Thurs. went to Burlington
4 Sun. rained	9 Fri. Husked Corn Sent Apples to mill
5 Mon. went to Vergennes Note renerved	10 Sat. Husked corn

MEMORANDA FOR NOVEMBER, 1866	MEMORANDA FOR NOVEMBER, 1866
11 Sun. went to Williston	16 Fri. rained all day Bought Oxen of George for $200 Pd $100 down went to Ferrisburg
12 Mon. Sent team to Richmond with cheese Gave Harkness deed of Palmer farm	17 Sat. rained Sent Frank after Cider
13 Tues. Sold 9 cows to G Richardson for $380 Rec'd $20 Ann went to Basin Harbor	18 Sun. cold South wind Sold John Brusaine 3 Calves for $10 to be paid in work
14 Wed. went to Ferrisburg with Sow	19 Mon. John Brusaine Cr 1 days work $1.25
15 Thurs. went to Midd lebury Pd Mrs Fitch $1361.	20 Tues. John Brusaine Cr 1 days work $1.25

MEMORANDA FOR NOVEMBER, 1866	MEMORANDA FOR NOVEMBER, 1866
21 Wed. killed a fox	26 Mon. Nelson Strong Cr by 1/2 days work
22 Thurs. Played at the Ridge	27 Tues. N Strong Cr by 1/2 days work went to the Borough with waggon
23 Fri. John Brusaine Cr 1 days work $1.25	28 Wed. N Strong Cr by 1 days work
24 Sat. Threshed Oats Sold waggon to George Burritt $80.	29 Thurs. rained all day Thanksgiving N Strong D to 1 B of Corn $1.30
25 Sun. Snow 2 inches	30 Fri. rained all day

MEMORANDA FOR DECEMBER, 1866	MEMORANDA FOR DECEMBER, 1866
1 Sat. [no entry]	6 Thurs. cloudy looks like Snow Drew wood + Chips
2 Sun. Sow took Boar	7 Fri. went to Satterly's after Hogs Pd $5.00 for two terrible muddy
3 Mon. went to Burlington Bought Stove for 40 Pipe 3.20 Pd 43.20 25	8 Sat. cold + cloudy Mr Beech here brought Girl
4 Tues. came back to Shelburn Staid to to Andrews all night	9 Sun. Beautiful weather for the time of year warm as Summer but verry muddy
5 Wed. came home Richardson took away 9 Cows took his Note for $350.	10 Mon. quite cold wind South Pd Gerough $134.

MEMORANDA FOR DECEMBER, 1866	MEMORANDA FOR DECEMBER, 1866
11 Tues. cold Butchered Hogs	16 Sun. warmer
12 Wed. warmer Cut-up Pork	17 Mon. colder + stormy Snow 8 inches
13 Thurs. cold N Strong Cr 1 days work	18 Tues. N Strong 1 days work warm Sunshine Set up Cross cut saw for Sawing wood
14 Fri. verry cold N Strong Cr 1 days work	19 Wed. N Strong Cr 1 days work " Dr Cash $2.00
15 Sat. very cold N Strong Cr 1 days work went to Talma[g]de after Sled, Shoes + Bolts 7 56 Pd 600 Due 1.56	20 Thurs. verry cold N Strong Cr 1 days work

MEMORANDA FOR DECEMBER, 1866	MEMORANDA FOR DECEMBER, 1866
21 Fri. cold Commenced drawing Hay for Cows	26 Wed. drew Hay Settled with Jerough Rec'd 20 in full of all demands
22 Sat. Strong South wind cold N Strong Cr 1 days work went to the village with provender	27 Thurs. Snowed all day went to Burlington Bought New Year's pres ents for Mrs Leonard
23 Sun. rained	28 Fri. cold wind north Snowed + blew hard all day
24 Mon. Sleighing gone N Strong Cr 1 days work	29 Sat. Threshed 100 Bushels of Oats N Strong Cr 1 day work
25 Tues. wind south muddy went to Shelburn to Andrews Christmas dinner	30 Sun. mild + pleasent
	31 Mon. drew straw into the Barn

N Strong: I'm guessing this refers to Nelson Strong, a Canadian immigrant, listed as a 29 year old farm laborer in the 1860 Charlotte census. I believe the phrase "N Strong Dr Cash 1.95" means that Nelson Strong drew from Leonard, on account, $1.95. This accounting occurs throughout the diary. Cash, commodities, and even time in days were recorded as drawn, credited or lost. J.R.
D. Burrit: I'm guessing this refers to Daniel Burritt. He and William Leanard are listed within two pages of each other in the 1860 Hineburg census. Both lived in the Distict 1, the Southeast section of Hinesburg. Daniel Burritt is buried in the Burritt Cemetery on Baldwin Road in Hinesburg. W. Leonard mentions him several times throughout the diary. J.R.			Click to enlarge
Ed Naramore: This could be Edward Naramore, listed as a farmer in the 1880 Charlotte census. In the Hinesburg records, I found he married Ida E. Tyler of Stockbridge, Massachusetts, daughter of Henry N. Tyler and Harriet S. Coon. This was Edwards second marriage and Ida's first. Their wedding date was recorded as March 29, 1866. William Leonard recorded in his diary that he attended a wedding that day. J.R.
C C Post: This entry likely refers to Charles C Post, Hinesburg merchant and tinsmith. J.R.
February 2nd: On this day, in another part of Hinesburg. The Free Press reported that Samuel Rublee, a resident of the north-east part of Hinesgurgh, "whose intellect had become enfeebled with disease, wandered from his home." He was found several days later, deceased, covered with snow, about a half mile from his home. "It has been his habit to wander among his neighbors, or even in neighboring towns for some days at a time. For some reason, his family was not alarmed..." for two days. Thanks to Ann Thomas for this reference. J.R.
Father: From the Hinesburg Town Hall death notices for February 6, 1866: Marvin Leonard, age 66, District 2, Cause of death, Cancer. Parents, Amos Leonard + ___ Meech From History of Chittenden County, Vermont : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers 1886 "Amos Leonard [William's grandfather] came to Hinesburg about 1788, from Worthington, Mass., where he was born in 1767, and settled in the west part of the town. He was by trade a carpenter. In February, 1799, he married Lucy, daughter of Elisha Meech. He accumulated a handsome property, and died in 1850, aged 83 years." J.R.			Click to enlarge
Ed Meech: This entry likely refers to Edgar Meech, a prosperous Charlotte farmer. According to his father's death notice, William Leonard's paternal grandmother's maiden name was Meech, so Edgar may be family. J.R.
Louisa: I believe this entry refers to William Leonard's sister, Louisa Leonard, listed in the household of his father, Marvin Leonard, at age 20, in the 1860 census. In a March 19th entry, William mentioned "went to the Ridge after Louisa." "The Ridge" likely refers to Monkton Ridge, on the South end of Baldwin Road where he lived. J.R.
Horace Mead: Third son of Samuel and Jane (Fairchild) Mead, born February 12, 1836. His farm was located East of William Leonard's place. He died October 19, 1877 of "inflamation bowells," age 41y 8m 7d J.R.			Click to enlarge
Lewis Steady: There were three generations of Lewis or Louis Steady. I believe this entry refers to one of the younger two. Both father, age 48, and son, age 19, had returned from the Civil War. The 1860 Hinesburg census shows them living on the T.W. Burritt farm, adjacent to William Leonard. Steady is mentioned throughout the balance of the diary. J.R.
Guy Willoughby: I believe this entry refers to Guy Willoughby, a farmer in Charlotte, age 35 at the time of the diary. J.R.
Frank Benedict: The 1866 April death records show the death of Levi F. Benedict, age 58, on April 15th. No cause of death was listed. J.R.			Click to enlarge
Pincher: I paid little attention to the reference to Pincher's death. I assumed Pincher was a horse, or the family dog. Imagine my surprise when I accidently discovered this entry under "Deaths" in the Hinesburg Town Hall vault: April 17, 1866, Emma Kate Leonard, age 10 months, Congestion Lungs, Parents, William A. Leonard and Phebe Ann Smith. Pincher was likely William's pet name for his baby daughter, Emma. There was an earlier reference to Pincher on March 19th. Notice how the diary entries continue with no hint of emotion. J.R.			Click to enlarge
D Ray: This may refer to Daniel Ray, a local farmer. J.R.			Click to enlarge
Lewis Steady 1 day lost time: I found this entry in the Hinesburg 1866 death records for this day, April 20th: "Died, Alice Eva Steady, 1y, [no cause of death listed], Parents Lewis and Rosilla Steady." If William Leonard's hired man was the elder Lewis Steady, he had just lost his daughter. If it was the younger, he had just lost his sister. William Leonard dutifully recorded the day as lost time. J.R.
Lewis Ozier: This entry likely refers to Lewis Osier, a Canadian immigrant, who lived south of Leonard on the Drinkwater Rd., according to the F.W. Beers Hinesburg map of 1869. Osier appeared in the 1870 census with his wife, four sons, and seven daughters. J.R.
School Commenced: It seems odd that school would commence on May 1st. On August 17th, there's another entry that notes "School finished." Rather than some kind of Summer school, I believe this refers to the construction of the school --perhaps the construction of School No 1 at the corner of Baldwin and Drinkwater Roads. J.R.
John Murphy: This entry likely refers to John Murphy, an Irish immigrant, and Leonard's farmer-neighbor to the South. At the time of the diary, 1866, Murphy had two "little girls," Mary, age 4, and Margaret, age 2. Did one of them wander off while the adults were celebrating the 4th? J.R.
Phebe Ann: Phebe Ann appears many times in the diary. This was William Leonard's wife, born Phebe Ann Smith in Monkton, to parents Matthew and Lucy Smith. She died of old age on August 27, 1900, at the age of 72y 10m in Hinesburg. J.R.
H Wilson: This entry could be Henry M. Wilson, a farmer to the North on Leavenworth Road. J.R.
Rockwoods: This entry likely refers to John L. Rockwood. The 1870 Hinesburg census listed Rockwood as a blacksmith. His 1883 death record listed his occupation as "mechanic." J.R.
George Barber: The 1860 census listed George Barber as a farmer in Shelburne. The March 12th 1866 birth record of his daughter, Flora, listed him in Hinesburg. J.R.
Sold Palmer place to Harkness: The 1859 Walling map of Hinesburg shows the William Leonard farm just north of Burritt Cemetery, with Palmer as his neighbor to the North. The 1869 F.W. Beers map shows the former Palmer place owned by Elisha Harkness. It appears that William brokered the deal. Further, the 1869 map shows William Leonard's place as owned by N.W. & G.B.Stone. William, Phebe Ann, and son Charles appeared in the Ferrisburgh census in 1870. J.R.
Andrews: William Leonard's sister, Emma, married William Andrews, the son of Ira and Aurilla Andrews of Charlotte. She died the year after the diary was written. J.R.			Click to enlarge
Mnight Post: The 1866 October death records show the death of Royal W. Post, "In Keeper," age 42y 9m 22d, on October 25th, of "Continued Fever." Son of A.H. Post and Morenda McEuen. The word/name Mnight is a mystery. J.R.